A new documentary series, 'Platoon 24/7: Preparing for War', airing on Channel 5 tonight at 9pm, offers unprecedented access to the British Army's rigorous training. The three-part series follows 13 Platoon, D Company, 5th Battalion The Rifles, as they prepare for potential deployment to Eastern Europe amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The opening episode features a gruelling competition called 'Top Dog', held over four winter days and nights in the Brecon Beacons. Soldiers face relentless physical and psychological challenges, culminating in the 'Sword Lane' – a bayonet assault course where they must neutralise targets at close range. The winner earns the title of Best Rifleman in the Company.
Among the contenders are Rifleman Callum Hancock, a former nightclub security guard and powerlifter; Rifleman Will Halliday, the only soldier with A Levels; 18-year-old Rifleman Owen Morris, who joined after being expelled from school; and father-of-two Rifleman Ryan Dutton, returning from injury. The platoon is led by 22-year-old Lieutenant Tom Drew, a recent Sandhurst graduate with only four weeks of camp experience.
Future episodes follow the platoon on combat exercises in Eastern Europe, urban warfare training, and NATO drills in Germany. The final episode sees them face a 'kill and be killed' scenario for the first time. The series has been described as 'brutal' and 'searingly honest', providing a raw look at modern infantry training.
